The Southland Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. 1870.

Southland Times, Issue 1304, 6 September 1870, Page 2

The Southland Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. 1870.

At no period in the history of the colonyhas the question of railway extension enlisted more active sympathy than it is doing at the present time. As an avowed principle it enters largely in**o the fiscal policy of the Colonial Parliament, and the wide-spread interest it has achieved is evinced by the number of deputations put forward under provincial auspices to the Colonial Government. Outside political circles, testimonies equally influential have been borne to the importance of the movement, eminent amongst these being a well-digested treatise on their political economy delivered by his Honor Mr j Justice Chapmak* at a recent meeting of | the Otago Institute. To adopt a convenient phrase, the whole subject is in a fair way of being reconsidered, and^ in proportion to the liberal interpretation put upon it will the cause of railway extension in New Zealand be promoted It is a significant fact that this predisposition should be awakened at the very moment when, to all appearance, we are "-pwyteytne-pgnaity orhilSplacedcgnflaciicc jin ra ; lway speculation. No sooner did j Southland enter upon such projects, than her embarrassments began, and at last she bas had to succumb to tbe pressure of liabilities consequent upon the construction of such works. Still the fact is notorious that we have had exceptional circumstances to contend with, chief among these being an unexpected rise in the price of railway plant, and a fraudulent collusion between the railway engineer and the contractor. Apart from these the principle is one which rises superior to the evil to which it has been exposed. Based upon the soundest theories of political economy, and weighed by the practical experience of neighboring colonies, no reasonable doubt can exist of the social importance of the system. It is tbe agency by which an equalisation of prices is regulated, which, as explained by Mr Justice Chapman, consists simply in the mode the sum-total of gains from cheap transport disbributes itself as between buyers and sellers. In other words, the producer and consumer, thus brought into contiguity, share the advantages between them in proportions to be determined by a double competition — that is, the competition of producer against producer tending to lower prices, and the competition of consumer against consumer tending to raise tbem. The practical operations of tbe system are abundantly exemplified by the social changes wrought within the last few years in tbe character and prospects of the adjacent colonies. Even older countries afford evidence of the revolutions brought about by their development, and, as naively remarked by Justice Chapman, " if such be true where the transition is from excellent common roads to railways, how much more complete must it be where the transition ia from bad roads, or perhaps no roads at all, to that of railroads." The solution of the problem is in effect I the subduing of the primitive wilderness with the weapons of advanced scientific skill, so that tbe work of reclamation is brought at once to tbe existing standard of civilisation, without 1 passing through the interjectory process, of which these weapons are a practical development. Both tbe power of reason and the weight of argument are in favor of the system, so that, after all, our much maligned . railway works have ' virtually asserted their position as an advanced step in the progressive policy of the day. This is not,.only reassuring, but it suggests further action in carrying out the primary object of the undertaking. One great advantage Southland's annexation will confer upon the parent province, ia the close proximity tbe seaboard will be brought to with what at present constitutes the remotest portions of her settled domains. To tbe Lakes district, via Invercargill, the distance does not exceed one hundred miles, or less than one half the distance of the route via Dunedin. This short road terminates in one of the finest harbors on the New Zealand coast — a harbor, which, from its geographical position, must in all time coming continue to be the first and last port pf call in the line of the Australasian trade. This is a fact which cannot be gainsayed. It was recognised by the present Superintendent of Otago long before Southland became an independent province — one of bis pet schemes, even in those early days, being the formation of a line of railway to connect Dunedin witb tbe Bluff. Additional evidence was borne to tbe favorable position of the province, by the number of Victorian and other miners who selected the Southland route to the north-western goldfields in preference to any other, while the trade of these districts for a considerable time concentrated itself in InvercargilL This preference was purely tbe result of tbe natural facilities for locomotion tne one province possessed over the other, both provinces being equal so far as the absence of macadamised roadway was concerned. No stronger argument could be adduced in favor of the Southland line of railway being made the southern terminus of tbe projected New Zealand grand trunk line, and as such we have no hesitation in pressing its claims upon the attention of the Colonial Government. Our present position with respect to railway works, comes next in review. It stands thus. The Bluff harbor, and northern lines are available a distance of forty miles inland, so that more than onethird of the actual distance to tbe I Wakatipu is covered by railway. This is a fact to which we are desirous of directing special attention, as we are aware a great deal of misapprehension exists with respect to the extent of our available railway communication. More- j over, that part of tbe work completed is

by far the mosfc difficult portion of the entire line, so fur as inter-communication with the "Wakatipu ia concerned. Ifc bridges over the principal swamps and quagmires which were a standing complaint against Southland in fche early days. "What remains to be accomplished consists of shingle beds and gravel terraces, where a good sound footing can be relied upon. This is conspicuously a characteristic of tbe country between Winton and Kingston. It is altogether free from engineering difficulties, sucb as rock cuttings and tunnellings, while even earth excavations would be an exceptional feature of the labor required. In fact, it is utterly impossible for onewhose knowledge of the country is confined to Otago, to realise the natural facilities that exist in* Southland for tbe economical construction of road lines. No two countries so closely allied to each other ever differed more widely in tbeir general contour. The corrugated iron sides of tbe one are no doubt pregnant with mineral wealth, but the undulating plains of the other are no les3 important as arteries for tbe distribution of that wealth. Let Otago bave all the credit a steady progress of mineral development entitles her to claim, still Southland's territory holds tbe leading strings of locomotion so lar as~an easy gradient is concerned, from tbe scene of these labors to the highway of international commerce.

The hon. Secretary to the Acclimatisation Society returned per the Gothenburg on the lßt inst., from a visit to Victoria and Tasmanii, and we are indebted to him for the following particulars regarding the primary object of his journey — the procuring of a further supply of ova. The ova, comprising 1068 brown trout, and 157 salmon trout, were packed at the ponds, New Norfolk, on the 16th August. On the following day Mr Butts left Hobarton in the Southern Cross, for Melbourne, arriving on the 19th. The ova was then placed in an icehouse until the 27th, on which day the Gothenburg left Melbourne for the Bluff, and arrived as stated. The ova, by the courtesy of the contractors,' was run out by rail the following morning, 2nd inst., as far as Ryal Bush, and was then carried by Messrs B itts and Howard to the ponds. On unpacking the boxes, the only eggs discovered to be bad, were three of the brown trout, and four of the salmon trout. Siuce being deposited in the boxes, five more of the latter, and three of the former, have gone bad. All the others are remarkably healthy," and very forward. This, although a small shipment, has been the most successful ever made to New Zealand, and, so far as the salmon trout is concerned, is the first importation of that ova from Tasmania. We mentioned some time since that an offer of services, as a light-horse brigade, on the part of some forty gentlemen, had been forwarded to Sir George Bowen. By the Rangitoto a very favorable reply has been received, saying that the General Government heartily approve of the organisation of volunteer troops, especially mounted ones, thrpughout tho colony, and will do its utmost to foster, encourage, ani assist such companies. A meeting of those disposed to join is to be held at the Council Chamber on Friday evening. The post-office, Lang Bush, bas been appointed a Money Order and Savings Bank Office by His Excellency tho Governor. A Meat Preserving Cotnpj'.ny has been established in Otago under the provisions of tiie " Joint Stock Companies Act, 1860." The first public Tneefcin^ of the Invereargill Total Abstinence Sociotv in the new hall -will -be held this evening at half-past sevon. The Lancashire Bellringers, compelled to wait for the next steamer going North, h&ve arranged to give a performance on Friday evening in aid of the Hospital. When a popular institution is thus to be assisted by a popular entertainment, there can be no question us to the result — a crowded house, and a good addition to the funds. From the annual report of the Inspector of Public Schools in Nelson, we learn that 49 schools have been established in the Province, with an attendance of 3387 pupils. Dr Deck delivered an interesting* lecture last evening in the Presbyterian Church, in connection / with the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society, taking for his subject — "Heat." We shall notice it more fully in our next issue. We regret to learn that pleuro-pneumonia has again made its appearance in the neighborhood of the Clutha. A few days ago Chief Inspector Logic was called upon to examine a bullock belonging to a settler at Lovell's .Flat, which was found to be suffering from the disease, and was at once destroyed. It is also stated that a few others in the same district, supposed to be infected, have been shot. The arrival of the Galatea at Wellington, under the command of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, was announced in oar telegraphic summary last week. The future movements of the vessel have not transpired, but it is understood that information on the point will shortly be published. In this instance the Duke will simply be received as captain of the Galatea, and not as a member of the Royal Family. A Dunedin contemporary remarks :— " The Ballot, that necessary security to political independence, has at length become the privilege of the electors of New Zealand. The Bill has passed through both Houses, and was read a third time last week. Mr Reynolds has long labored to secure it, and must feel gratified that his uphill work has been accomplished." The shooting season of the Otago Volunteers commenced on Saturday, the 27th ult. The conditions of the match were, eight men a side, to fire on their respective ranges simultaneously. Distance, 200, 500, and 600 yards ; seven shots at each ; position at 200 yards standing, and at 500 and 600 yards, any ; Government rifles and ammunition ; pull of trigger not less than 61bs. The scores were as follows : — 100 500 600 Tl. Sergeant Muir 2* 21 22 — 67 Sergeant Smith 22 16 20—58 Corporal Ogilvie 23 23 21—67 Gunner Reid 22 22 21—65 Gunner Fulton 22 20 19—61 Gunner Turton 24 18 14—56 Gunner Pell 17 21 16—51 Gunner Hislop 23 14 13—50 Average, 59*75. 478 Some useful hints for woolgrowers are contained in the following extract from a private letter from London, published by the Melbourne Argus : — " One of our leading manufacturers of the very best class of woollen goods, in the co urse of a conversation I had with him a few days ago, denounced very warmly the increasing tendency ot woolgrowers to pay but slight attention to the * getting up' and packing of their clips. You would hardly believe that the piece of string which some squattera use for tying up each separate fleece takes ld to lid off the valuo of the wool, as it is impossible to prevent some portions of it .being worked up. into, and destroying the appearance of, the goods. Such, however, I am assured, is the case. For the same reason the use of coarse and fluffy materials for woolpacks is to be avoided. These may seem small matters, but I believe they really do affect the price ofthe raw material very materially ; and if the squatters would turn their attention to the improvement of their wares, they would put more money into their pockets in the shape of increased prices than they would take out of the brokers by reducing what are not excessive charges."

A correspondent of a contemporary says : — Port Chalmer3 has been holding high jubilee. The news that their picturesque port town was to bo made the terminus of the San Francisco line of mail steamers was circulated amongst the inhabitants on Friday last, and as if by tnagic (not Dodson' s) the town was dressed in holiday attire. The display of bunting was profuse, both on sea and land. The guns of the naval volunteers belched forth their congratulations ; blue lights and rockets were displayed from every p*-'t of the to vn, while the ships in j the "harbor zealously seconded thoir joyous J enthusiasm. In the " Provincial ' y also rnirt.lv prevailed, for the people shouted to the honor or" their patron saint, and great indeed was Macandrew of the Bend. It will be seen by reference to our telegraphic i summary that the Government purpose bringing tlie present sossion of Assembly to a closo on Friday. We have intellisjenee to hand from Nelson to the 2nd inst : — Mr Harris, Sub-Treasurer and Accountant of the West Coast Goldfields, had i been brought up at the Resident's Magistrate's Court charged with embezzling j£1231, and was remanded for a week. It is supposed that his defalcations had been going on for years, though this is not ■as yet known -for -certain. — The Colonist reports the discovery of a good goldfield near the Karamea Bend on the Nelson side of the ranges. A miner named O'Brien got 42 ounces of gold in the locality in five weeks. He describes the country as rich, but at present deeply buried in snow. ■■ Telegraphic information to hand from Hokitika reports that " the movement for the annexation of Westland to Otago has almost collapsed, several of the leaders having withdrawn from it, and a strong feeling having set in against it. The petition .will in all probability never reach Wellington. At apublic meeting held at Boss, a resolution declaring annexation to Otago to be both premature and impolitic, was carried." — A smart shock of earthquake had been felt at 6.20 p.m. on the 31st ult. It lasted for nearly half a minute, the direction of the shock being from S.E. to N.W. — The census returns had been completed. The total population is set down as 15,000. We have to acknowledge the receipt, from Ot. Elliot Elliot, Esq., secretary, of a copy of the " Eleventh Report on the Postal Service of the Colony "by the Postmaster-General. We shall take an early opportunity of referring to the contents of the document. At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday, the sth inst., a police case which had been decided the previous week, wherein Wm. Shields was fined 10s and costs for driving his dray on the footpath, came on for rehearing under somewhat extraordinary circumstances. On the case being called, his Worship said that since it had been first heard, he had received a letter from the defendant requesting a rehearing, and containing serious charges against the constable who had lodged the information. It also conveyed a covert threat to himself, in the expression that tlie writer, Shields, " wa9 nearly won over to the ranks of tho enemy," and that " the decision given was such as would almost make him sign a certain document." These allusions he could quite understand, but the whole matter of the letter was so absurd that he could not treat it in a serious way, or as would leave it to be supposed that he could be in any way influenced by such threats. Ec dared say he had not sat there for six years without making enemies, but as long as he felt conscious of discharging his duty he would treat with indifference their machinations. He mentioned the letter that it might not be supposed he had beon in any way influenced thereby, but had granted the rehearing solely on account of the charges male against the constable. Mr Harvey, counsel for the defendant, having boen handed the letter at his request, characterized it as a very improper one to have been written to a magistrate. The case was then gone into de novo. The fact was clearly established that defendant had committed the offence charged in an .aggravated form, he having driven for a considerable distance onthe side walk, going off and on no less than three times, as was proven by the evidence of the policeman, Constable Beattie, and another credible witness. The defence, which was very weak, consisted in an attempt to prove that at no timo were both wheels on the pavement — that the horse and one wheel were on was not denied. His Worship sail it was quite clear a breach of the Ordinance had been committed. The only discrepancy he could obaerre between the present and former hearings, was that at the first the constable stated that at one place both wheels were ou ; now it appeared tliey were not. That was the only difference. (-Shields, " That's all, sir.") It was a mere quibble, not affecting the case at all. He must Bay ttiat on both occasions the constable had given hia evidence fairly. He would impose the same Hue as before, 10s and costs. Frank Fraser was charged by Mr Inspector Chapman with illtreating a mare in his possession, on the 2nd inst., in town. Mr Chapman detailed the circumstances of the offnee, which were barbarous enough. Defendant did not deny that the animal bore the appearance of having been illused, bub explained that the wounds and blood described by the Inspector had been occasioned by the vicious temper of the brute. ' He was breaking her in, and she kicked and threw herself down, cutting herself with the dray and chain-hooks. He declared that in putting a rope round her neck, and dragging her along by means of another horse, he did nothing unusual in similar cases— where young horses were stubborn. His Worship said he believed it was tho custom to use such harsh means in breaking-in horses, but he could only say it was a cruel, stupid, and improper manner. As thore was a doubt as to whether the wounds were inflicted wilfully or the result of accident, defendant should have the benefit of the doubt. He therefore dismissed the information, cautioning defendant to try milder means in horse- breaking in future.